Youngstown will become one of just 35 cities nationwide to host Global Lens 2010, a free series of 10 critically acclaimed films from around the world. The series will be shown at The Lemon Grove, 122 W. Federal St., downtown, in November.

It is sponsored locally by the Kent State University department of history and The Lemon Grove.

“We are very excited about the film series and are working on doing a lot of promotions is the Pittsburgh area for it,” said Jacob Harver, owner and program director of The Lemon Grove, a restaurant-nightspot-art gallery. “The Lemon Grove is by far the closest place to Pittsburgh to see the films, and we have been waiting for the opportunity to give [Pittsburghers] the reason to come to Youngstown to experience the culture of our city.”

Global Lens 2010 was shown at the Cleveland International Film Festival in March.

Harver also pointed to the unique partnership between Kent State and his establishment. “Through partnerships such as this, and the various events that the YSU community and the Lemon Grove team up on, we are able to enrich the experiences of students and the community in general,” he said.

The films will be shown on the Lemon Grove stage. Harver’s plans call for turning the second floor of the building into a space for films and other cultural activities. He is trying to raise funds to buy new projection equipment.

Tom Delgenio, chef at The Lemon Grove, will prepare traditional foods from the country of origin of each film. The movies with an 8 p.m. Sunday start time will feature the most elaborate meals, beginning at 6 p.m. For reservations, e-mail reservations@lemongrovecafe.com with the date and title of the movie in the subject line, or call 330-744-7683.

Filmgoers are asked to come early or stay afterward so they have time to eat and converse while the film isn’t on-screen.